Saints show Brothers no mercy

BITS tuned up for this weekend's trip to the Gabba in fine style, thumping an ordinary Brothers by 124 points in their Trend Interiors/Carpet Court AFL Capricornia A grade clash at Boyne Oval on Saturday.

The Saints spared no mercy on the Roos with Nathan Shipard kicking 11 goals in the comfortable 22.10.142 to 2.6.18 victory.

Brothers had no answers after an even first term, kicking just one goal in the final three quarters as the Saints piled on 19.

The win sends a clear signal to the rest of the AFL Capricornia league that the Saints are still amongst the competition's heavyweights.

Shipard's 11-goal haul is by far the biggest by a player in A grade in 2005 and takes his tally to 27.

He was simply unstoppable, with the Roos defence unable to contain him.

They in fact tried to double-team the 21-year-old in the second-half, but to no avail as he led what turned out to be a procession.

Shipard was well-supported by a dominant on-ball division led by Derek Brown, Darren Boase and the versatile Damon Stebbings who smashed Brothers throughout the midfield.

Coach Rod Spice was pleased with his team's victory and said it was far easier than expected.

'I thought it would be a hard game for us, but I was very happy with the way we played,' Spice said.

'Brothers may have been missing five players and never travel well, but we wanted to show more aggression and did that.'

Spice had nothing but plaudits for his full-forward Shipard and made a special mention of tough onballer Brown.

'Nathan was sensational, his hands were like a vice on the footy and Doggy (Brown) has given the team a harder edge ? he is as tough as nails,' he said.

BITS also enjoyed a comfortable win in the reserves, with 12 players kicking goals in the 27.21.183 to 1.1.7 victory.

Daniel Shipard was named best for the Saints, while Steve Johnson kicked five goals.